Infrastructure Engineer vs. DevOps – what are the differences? Learn everything you need to know about the differences between an Infrastructure Engineer and a. DevOps.
The terms ‘Infrastructure Engineer’ and ‘DevOps’ are often used interchangeably, but there are actually significant differences between the two roles.
This article will explore the differences between an Infrastructure Engineer and a DevOps Engineer and discuss the skills and knowledge required to succeed in each role.
By the end of this article, you’ll better understand the distinctions between the two roles and be able to make an informed decision when considering a career in either field.
What is Infrastructure Engineer?
An Infrastructure Engineer is a professional responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the physical and virtual infrastructure that supports an organization’s IT systems.
This includes hardware, software, networks, storage, and other systems. The Infrastructure Engineer is also responsible for ensuring the security and reliability of these systems, as well as performing preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and problem resolution.
What is DevOps?
DevOps is a set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and information-technology operations (Ops) to shorten the systems development life cycle while delivering features, fixes, and updates frequently in close alignment with business objectives.
DevOps aims to reduce barriers between software development, testing, and operations teams by automating processes and increasing collaboration.
Infrastructure Engineer vs. Devops
Below we discuss the main differences between the job duties, job requirements, and work environment of Infrastructure Engineers and DevOps.
Infrastructure Engineer vs. DevOps Job Duties
Infrastructure Engineers and DevOps have become popular roles in the technology industry in recent years. While there is some overlap between the two roles, there are also distinct differences in the job duties associated with each role.
Infrastructure Engineers are responsible for designing, building, and managing the hardware, software, and networks that support IT services. They are also responsible for overseeing the installation, testing, and maintenance of IT systems. Infrastructure Engineers need to be highly knowledgeable in a wide range of technologies, including networking, cloud computing, storage, and virtualization. They must also be able to troubleshoot any technical issues that arise.
DevOps is a process-oriented approach to software development and IT operations. It involves the coordination of people, processes, and technologies to ensure the successful delivery of IT services. DevOps Engineers are responsible for automating IT processes and deploying software applications quickly and efficiently. They must have strong knowledge of scripting languages, such as Python and Bash, as well as experience with automation tools like Chef and Puppet. They must also have a deep understanding of software development processes and best practices.
In a nutshell, Infrastructure Engineers focus on the hardware and software that support IT services, while DevOps Engineers focus on the processes and technologies required for the successful delivery of IT services. Both roles are essential for the success of any IT organization, and employers are increasingly looking for candidates who have a blend of both technical and process-oriented skills.
Infrastructure Engineer vs. DevOps Job Requirements
As technology continues to evolve, so does the need for professionals to keep up with its ever-changing landscape. One of the most popular career paths for tech professionals is to become an Infrastructure Engineer or a DevOps engineer. While these two positions may have some overlap in terms of job requirements, there are key differences between the two that can help employers and job seekers understand the distinctions.
Infrastructure Engineers are responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of a company’s IT infrastructure. They are in charge of ensuring the systems are running optimally and securely to meet the needs of the business.
Infrastructure Engineers must have a thorough understanding of network protocols, operating systems, and hardware configurations, as well as a familiarity with server and storage technologies. Additionally, Infrastructure Engineers must have strong problem-solving skills in order to identify and resolve any issues that may arise.
DevOps engineers are responsible for automating the development and operations processes of an organization. They must have an understanding of scripting languages and automation tools, such as Ansible, Chef, and Puppet. DevOps engineers must also be well-versed in cloud computing solutions, such as AWS and Azure, as well as containers, such as Docker and Kubernetes.
Additionally, they must be comfortable working with a variety of programming languages, such as Python, Ruby, and Java. DevOps engineers must be able to work collaboratively with developers and system administrators in order to ensure that the company’s systems are running optimally.
Overall, both Infrastructure Engineers and DevOps engineers require a deep understanding of IT infrastructure and automation. However, the specific job requirements for each position can vary depending on the company’s needs.
Infrastructure Engineer vs. DevOps Work Environment
Are you considering a career in the technology sector but not sure which route to take? The two main roles for a technology professional are Infrastructure Engineer and DevOps. Both roles are essential for developing and maintaining IT systems, but there are some key differences between the two roles.
An Infrastructure Engineer has a broad set of responsibilities that involve designing, configuring, and maintaining IT systems. This includes setting up and managing networks, cloud services, and server systems. Infrastructure Engineers work with a variety of technologies, such as Windows, Linux, and virtualization. They also troubleshoot technical issues and implement security protocols.
The work environment of an Infrastructure Engineer is usually in an office or data center setting. Engineers may be required to travel to customer sites to install or troubleshoot systems. The nature of the job also means that Infrastructure Engineers must be good problem solvers and be able to think on their feet.
DevOps is a newer role in the technology sector. It is a combination of software development and operations work. DevOps Engineers are responsible for automating and streamlining the development and deployment of software applications. They are also responsible for setting up and managing cloud services and monitoring systems for performance and security.
The work environment for DevOps is usually remote, as the job entails working with a variety of software development tools. DevOps Engineers must be comfortable working with multiple programming languages and be able to troubleshoot issues quickly. The job also requires a deep understanding of the software development process and a good handle on security protocols.
Both Infrastructure Engineers and DevOps Engineers play essential roles in the technology sector. Each role requires its own set of skills and expertise. Infrastructure Engineers are responsible for the physical setup and maintenance of IT systems, while DevOps Engineers focus on automating and streamlining the development and deployment of software applications. The work environment of each role varies depending on the company and the specific tasks required.
Infrastructure Engineer vs. DevOps Skills
The question of whether an Infrastructure Engineer or a DevOps Engineer is the better choice has been debated for some time. Both roles are important elements of modern software development, and each has its own set of skills and responsibilities. While there is some overlap between the two roles, there are also many distinct differences between them.
An Infrastructure Engineer is someone who designs, builds, and maintains the physical and virtual components of a computer network. This includes hardware and software, networking, storage systems, and physical infrastructures such as server racks and routers. They also ensure the security of the system and make sure it is running optimally. They are responsible for setting up and configuring servers, hardware, and software and providing ongoing maintenance and support.
On the other hand, a DevOps Engineer is more concerned with the automation of software development processes. They focus on streamlining the development cycle and improving the collaboration between the development and operations teams. They are responsible for setting up and managing the CI/CD pipelines, automating the deployment of applications, and setting up the monitoring and logging systems.
When it comes to the specific skills required for each role, Infrastructure Engineers need to have a strong understanding of hardware and software, as well as networking and storage systems. They must also be familiar with cloud-based solutions and have a good knowledge of scripting languages such as Bash, Python, and Ruby.
On the other hand, DevOps Engineers need to have a good understanding of software development processes, as well as automation and configuration management tools such as Chef, Puppet, and Ansible. They must also have a good knowledge of scripting languages such as Bash, Python, and Ruby.
The choice between an Infrastructure Engineer or DevOps Engineer will depend on the specific needs of a company. Both roles are highly valuable and require different sets of skills and responsibilities.
Related: Senior Network Engineer Interview Questions & Answers
Infrastructure Engineer vs. DevOps Salary
Infrastructure Engineers and DevOps professionals are both essential roles in the development and maintenance of IT systems. Both of these roles require strong technical skills and knowledge, but their responsibilities do differ in some ways.
Therefore, it is important to understand the differences between these two positions in order to determine which is best suited for a particular job and to know what salary expectations should be.
Infrastructure Engineers are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of the physical and virtual infrastructure that supports an organization’s applications, systems, and networks.
They are expected to follow industry best practices and standards and must be able to troubleshoot and solve issues quickly. Infrastructure Engineers typically require a degree in computer science or a related field.
On the other hand, DevOps professionals are responsible for the automation and management of software development and deployment processes. They work closely with software developers, operations staff, and other IT professionals to ensure that the development process is efficient and that the software is deployed in an efficient manner. DevOps professionals typically require a degree in software engineering or a related field.
In terms of salary, Infrastructure Engineers typically earn more than DevOps professionals. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for an Infrastructure Engineer is around $90,000, compared to the median salary of a DevOps professional, which is around $80,000. However, salaries for both roles can vary depending on the location, experience, and skillset.
Overall, both Infrastructure Engineers and DevOps professionals are essential for the successful operation of IT systems. While Infrastructure Engineers are responsible for the physical and virtual infrastructure, DevOps professionals are responsible for the automation and management of software development and deployment processes. Both roles require a high level of technical skills and knowledge, and salaries for both roles can vary depending on the location and experience.
